How to Change the Oil on a Kawasaki 1500 Mean Streak

Written by chris gilliland

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The basics of changing a motorcycle's oil and oil filter are fairly similar among most motorcycles. Kawasaki's Mean Streak 1500, however, requires an additional step to clean the internal oil screen, ensuring that its oil supply remains uncontaminated before reaching the motor's sensitive components. In addition, the Mean Streak's motor must be warmed thoroughly before beginning to remove any trapped debris within the oil. The entire job should take less than 30 minutes to do, so plan your time accordingly.

Skill level:

Moderate

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Things you need

Motorcycle stand

17mm socket

Socket wrench

Shop rags

Brake cleaner spray

Oil screen O-ring (Kawasaki Part #92055-1358)

Torque wrench

Cap wrench

Oil filter (Kawasaki Part #99999-0032)

Three quarts of SAE 10W40 API SE motor oil

Funnel

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Instructions

1

Start the Mean Streak's motor and allow it to idle in place for three minutes. Stop the motor after it has warmed up and let it cool for another five minutes.

2

Remove the filler cap from the left side of the motor to allow the oil system to vent while draining.

3

Unscrew the oil drain plug from under the rear left side of the motor with a 17mm socket. Drain the motor oil into an oil pan. Wipe the oil drain plug with a shop rag and screw it into place once the motor has drained completely with the 17mm socket. Tighten the oil drain plug to 15 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

4

Remove the oil screen, positioned on the side of the motor and above the oil drain plug, with a 19mm socket. Pull the oil screen out of the motor and drain any trapped oil into the oil pan.

5

Clean the oil screen with a brake cleaner spray and shake out any particles trapped in the screen. Pull off the oil screen's O-ring and replace it with a new one. Screw the oil filter screen into place with the 19mm socket. Tighten the oil drain plug to 15 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

6

Unscrew the oil filter from the right rear of the motor with a cap wrench. Discard the old filter.

7

Coat the new oil filter's sealing gasket with SAE 10W40 API SF motor oil then screw the filter onto the motor by hand. Tighten the oil filter to 13 foot-pounds with the torque wrench.

8

Fill the motor with up to 3 quarts of SAE 10W40 API SF motor oil with a funnel inserted into the oil filler neck on the left side of the motor. Screw the oil filler cap into place.

9

Start the Mean Streak's motor and inspect the oil drain plug, oil screen and oil filter for leaks. Tighten the affected part to stop any oil leaks if any then turn off the motor.

Tips and warnings

For best results, change your Mean Streak's oil and filter every 7,500 miles. At a minimum, change the oil once a year.